Converted homes: Canada's best church lofts

Canada has some infamous homes around the country — the ‘crooked house’ on Shaw Street in Toronto that was listed for almost $700K last year, the ‘tiny house’ that made an appearance on Ellen in 2007, the upside down house in Niagara Falls — but you might not actually want to live in them.

Luckily, Canada is also known for some of its incredible converted homes, like these converted church lofts (and a couple larger homes) that are just as unique as their infamous partners, but a little more enviable when it comes to real estate.

The Abbey Lofts

Formerly the Howard Park Methodist Church, this imposing 19th century church in Roncesvalles boasts limestone walls, refurbished stained glass windows, and one of the coolest terraces in the city.

Photos from loftenberg.com

The Church Lofts

These neo-Gothic church lofts are located in Dufferin Grove, just south of Bloor Street West. Their most notable features are the wood doors, vaulted ceilings and historic light fixtures.

Photos from Toronto Life

Victoria Lofts

Located in the Junction, the Victoria Lofts’ best attribute has to be the majestic circular windows that illuminate some of the units, followed closely by the rustic wooden beams seen here.

Photos from BlogTO and The Globe and Mail

40 Westmoreland Avenue

Another favourite near Dufferin Grove in Toronto, 40 Westmoreland has all the things you’d hope for in a church conversion – exposed brick, arched wood ceilings and impressive windows and ceiling heights.

Photos from BlogTO

Former Dunbar Presbyterian Church

This former Presbyterian church close to Ottawa differs from the rest on the list because it was renovated into a full family home. This stunning home has stained glass windows throughout, and the bell tower – currently used as an office – is accessed by ladders.

Photos from Ottawa Citizen

Grand River church conversion

Modest from the outside and glamourous from the inside, this notable home in Fergus, Ontario is another on the list that doesn’t quite fall into the church loft category. It is a four-bedroom home with old beams, wood finishes and a cool dark spiral staircase – not to mention a great deck in the back.

Photos from The Vancouver Sun

Place Delacroix

Montreal’s church conversions don’t stop at condos and homes – we’ve seen churches here transformed into renovated gyms, concert venues and community centres, just to name a few. This condo is no exception to beautiful Montreal conversions with its well maintained exterior façade and an elegant and modern interior.

Photos from Kijiji

Cornerstone

A beautiful heritage church exterior meets a modern design on the inside of this church conversion in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. The units offer unique window sizes and an interesting combination of old and new architecture.

Photos from clairrockel.com

And coming soon...

St. Leslieville Church Lofts

The St. Leslieville Church Lofts will no doubt fit into Toronto's beautiful Leslieville neighbourhood. Decargani Development Corporation plans to retain as much as they can from a beautiful church that has been empty for the last 10 years. Based on these images, the windows and exposed brick will be the building's most noteworthy feature.

Photos from stleslieville.com

Union Lofts

Now under construction in the Junction Triangle, Union Lofts will modernize the church at Perth and Wallace avenues while keeping some of its key factors, in order to retain the grandeur of the building itself. The red brick, pointed arch windows and tower on the southwest corner will remain, but the interiors will be reimagined in a more modern design.

Photos from unionlofts.ca